Music of the War of 1812 in America, bookMWA-bk

sources printed or handwritten during the period of the War of 1812, from the earliest cries of “America, Commerce and Freedom” to the long song about the “Beginnings, Events, End and Consequences of the late war with Great Britain.”

These songs reflect the history of the war and played a large role in bolstering or changing public opinion and political support. Included are the artful new lyrics in praise of the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry early one September morning in 1814, the song that became our national anthem. On another front, the music master at Fort Niagara composed dance tunes and marches for his band to play during special ceremonies or evening rest periods. All twelve are included.

Collected here are the 34 pieces of sheet music. Within each piece is:

—the entire text of the main song set to music; —an essay on its place in history; its meaning to singers and audiences; —teaching and study suggestions; —background information about the author of the text and the tune; —lyrics for other songs that help to understand the main song.

There are 33 songs fully set to music, 22 instrumental tunes, 16 additional complete song lyrics that are related to the main song and 18 shorter entries of parts of relevant songs.

Preference was given to editions of the music that had a period accompaniment so that songs could be easily played on a keyboard. We have supplied chords for most of the pieces to enable accompaniment with guitar or autoharp.

ISBN-10: 098187598X ISBN-13: 978-0981875989

ContentsForeword by David K. HildebrandMethodology and AcknowledgmentsPre-War and Party Agitation America, Commerce & Freedom Truxton’s Victory The Way to Avoid War The Embargo Two Songs on the Embargo The Embargo The Death of the Embargo The American Star James Madison my Joe Lilli-bull-ero The Budget of BlundersMore Yankee Doodles Rodgers & Victory For the Fourth of July The Battle of BaltimoreStar-Spangled Banner & Related Songs The Anacreontic Song Adams and Liberty When the Warrior Returns The Star-Spangled Banner The Star-Spangled Banner (Hewitt)More Battles & Heroes The Battle of Plattsburgh Decatur and the Navy Yankee Thunders The American Constitution Frigate’s Engagement Constitution and Guerriere Shannon and Chesapeake The Ship, Boys The Warrior’s Return Perry’s Victory Perry’s Tid Re I

Dances, Marches & A Love Song Set I Trip to Canada Contre Dance Jackson’s Welcome Home Sacket’s Harbor Tippecanoe Hornpipe Durang’s Hornpipe Set II Madison’s March Mrs. Madison’s Minuet Set III Hull’s Victory Decatur’s March The G[eorge] Town Silver Gray’s Quick Step Set IV Compositions by John Carroll at Fort Niagara Fort Niagara Quick Step MajrPorter’s Fancy Niagara French Four Mountain French Four Carroll’s 2 of April Carroll’s Thoughts on Eternity Carroll’s Maggot Carroll’s Whim Carroll’s Frolick Carroll’s Fire Side Carroll’s Fancy Mountain Trott by Carroll A Love Song While Gazing on the Moon’s Light Post War The Hunters of Kentucky A New Song on the CausesBibliographyIndex